Hoskins’ homers good sign of what could come
PHILADELPHIA » With each successive swing, with each tiring round, Rhys Hoskins only got better.
One of the lesser-known competitors in the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby last Monday night, Hoskins set the made-for-TV event on its ear by hitting the most in the first round, and hitting 37 overall before bowing to an incredible late surge by Chicago’s Kyle Schwarber in the semifinals.
Hoskins was one of the first to congratulate him.
Just a made-for-TV thing, anyway.
What Hoskins is starting to do as the real baseball season has resumed, however, is something much more exciting ... and maybe a little coincidental.
During a doubleheader that felt as long as a home run derby Sunday, Hoskins went deep twice, once in each game of a split with San Diego.
Hoskins, who also doubled in the opening 10-2 loss and had four RBIs on the day, hadn’t homered since doing so in three consecutive games, June 27 against the Yankees and June 28 and 29 against the Nationals.
“I think throughout my career, I know that they come in bunches,” Hoskins said of his longballs. “That’s just always how it happens. Hits, extra-base hits, homers, they all seem to come in bunches. That’s a confidence thing, it really is. When you walk up to the dish knowing that this guy really doesn’t have anything to get you out with, it’s a huge boost. And I think if you can ride that confidence as long as you can, you’re going to be pretty dangerous as a hitter.”
Hoskins made a fast name around the league with an unreal MLB debut late last summer in which he hit 11 home runs over the course of two August weeks. He’s had his cold spells this sophomore season, but is looking to get his streaky form going again. He’s hitting .252 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs. Moreover, his homer and double in the Game 1 loss Sunday went to the opposite field.
“There’s been a few things I’ve tried to work on throughout the year as far as (my) swing, and hitting the ball inner-half (of the plate) correctly,” Hoskins said. “I think if I can hit the ball to right-center (off) a ball that’s on the innerhalf, then I feel pretty good. That makes me feel like I can slow the game down, see pitches better and swing at better pitches.”
As he gets better, the surprising Phillies can only go farther.
“We have a resiliency about us that I think all good teams have,” Hoskins said. “No panic. It’s the same thing (tonight). We came out and got punched in the mouth in the first game. But we flushed it. (Winning pitcher) Vinny (Velasquez) came out and did his thing and we got some timely hitting.”